Model Forum / General / Railroads / July 2005

Yes, they're worth something!  These are Lionel "Standard Gauge" trains from
the mid to late 1920's.  I have provided my opinion of some very general,
rough-estimate show prices for some of the items to give you a feel for
values.  If you plan to sell any of the items, you should get a more
thorough appraisal.

It looks like you have two sets:

The dark red (Lionel calls it maroon) No. 8 box-cab electric locomotive and
the similarly colored No. 35 Pullman car and No. 36 observation (both with
the late production "500 series" trucks) comprise Lionel set No. 350 offered
in 1925 & 1926 with a  small oval of track for the grand price of $18.00.
Today, these three items would be offered at a train show for around $200 or
perhaps more - you do have some condition problems with the newspaper stuck
to the car roofs that would need more thorough examination.

The tan (Lionel calls it "Mojave") No. 8 box-cab electric locomotive only
came in one freight set, Set No. 353 offered from 1927 to 1930.  This set
had the No. 8 loco, a No. 511 flat car, the No. 512 gondola you illustrate,
and a No. 517 caboose.  Assuming you have the other two cars, it would
suggest the No. 514R refrigerator car was purchased separately to go with
the rest of the set.  Similarly, the No. 219 crane car only came in more
elaborate sets headed by larger locos than the bottom-of-the-line No. 8, so
it too may have been a separate purchase.  The loco and three cars you show
would be offered for more than $500 at a show.

Your real treasure is the very nice No. 124 station on a clean No. 129
terrace (cataloged together by Lionel as No. 128).  The station is a common
item, but should sell for around $150 or more.  The terrace is much less
common, highly sought after, and can get up to low 4-figure prices if it is
a Lionel original in excellent condition - but be careful as reproductions
have been made.  The No. 45 automatic gatemen and the lamp posts are very
common items.

None of the human figures, toy cars, or animal figures are Lionel, but all
are also collectible and with the number you have, also represent real $$.

Take good care of these trains, and keep the all boxes regardless of their
condition.  Based on the condition of the trains as they appear in the
photos, I would advise against restoring (repainting) any of the items.  It
is common for the die-cast wheels on the No. 8 locomotives to distort and
start to disintegrate with age; Bowser and others make replacement wheels.
With good wheels and a thorough cleaning, overhaul, and lubrication, these
very durable trains should provide many additional hours of operating
pleasure.  Hope this helps.  Gary Q

Recently my grandfather found his Lionel model train stuff from back
when he was a boy in the 1920's. Some of the stuff even has its original
boxes(though arent in the best of condition) but some of the actual cars
and engines and such look to be in pretty decent condition. Anyone know
if this stuff is worth anything? or is it something thats not really
worth much and should be put with the rest of my model trains on a
board? Heres a few pictures of the items(engines, cars, station, ect):
http://home.comcast.net/~raventy/trains.html
----------------------------------------------------
Wow! If I had 'em, I'd certainly keep these treasures!

Charles Siegel has an on-line price guide:

http://www.traincity.com/shoppg.html

"Greenberg's Lionel Pocket Price Guide--2006 Edition" will be available
soon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0897785320/qid=1118967141/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1
_1/002-3916456-5101647?v=glance&s=books/billsrailroaempi/

It can be pre-ordered now and there's free shipping on orders over $25.

Bill
Bill's Railroad Empire
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